Areas of Cumbria

Cumbria and the Lake District are often used interchangeably, such is the lure of the landscape of mountains and lakes that makes up one of England’s most beautiful regions. The Lake District is right in the mountainous heart of the county: England’s tallest peaks, biggest lakes and - to our mind, at least - most beautiful vistas are found here, within the protected confines of the Lake District National Park.

But there’s more to Cumbria than just the lakes. Beyond the north lakes is the county capital of Carlisle, a modern city with a rich and storied past: here you’ll find a mighty fortress in the heart of what was once known as the Debatable Lands - such was the centuries of struggle between Scots, English and the local clans known as Border Reivers. It is through here that Hadrian’s Wall was built.

To the west, Cumbria takes on a maritime flavour, with the towns and villages traditionally making a living from the sea and the mines that surround them. To the east, the Eden Valley and North Pennines and beyond, the beautiful valleys that belong to the Yorkshire Dales, an area we refer to as 'Where the Lakes meets the Dales'.

And finally south of the Lake District is the broad expanse of Morecambe Bay, its collection of elegant Victorian towns a fine reminder of the early days of tourism and, today, a foodie destination in their own right.

The map shows the different areas of the county and how they all combine to make the county of Cumbria. It also shows the location of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. Click on the map for a larger view.